International Traffic in Arms Regulations
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- This page discusses the U.S. export law ITAR. For the Russian news agency see ITAR-TASS.
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) is a set of United States government regulations that authorizes the President of the United States to control the export and import of defense-related material and services. The regulations are described in Title 22 (Foreign Relations), Chapter I (Department of State), Subchapter M of the Code of Federal Regulations. Until 1996–1997, ITAR classified strong cryptography as arms and prohibited their export from the U.S.
The Department of State's objective in enforcing ITAR is to advance national strategic objectives and U.S. foreign policy via the trade controls. ITAR restricts the trade of defense articles and defense services listed on the United States Munitions List.
Controversy
There is an open debate between the Department of State and industries regulated by ITAR concerning how harmful the regulatory restrictions are for business. The Department of State insists that ITAR has limited effect and provides a security benefit to the nation that industry must bear. However, many companies within the affected industries disagree and argue that ITAR is stifling U.S. trade. They argue that ITAR is a significant trade barrier that acts as a significant negative subsidy, weakening U.S. industries' ability to compete. U.S. companies point to announcements in Europe by EADS and Alcatel promoting their "ITAR-free" satellites and defense items. Currently, the Department of State dismisses the burden on industry as minor compared to the security provided by ITAR. They also view the announcements of "ITAR-free" items as anecdotal and not systematic. There is also evidence of ITAR legislation interfering with international cooperation within space science, as noted by Deborah Bass in her Phoenix Mars Lander Blog
See also
- Arms Export Control Act
- CoCom
- Defense Security Cooperation Agency
- Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security
External links
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations Note: Scroll down to Subchapter M, Parts 120-130, for an up-to-date version of the ITAR.
- The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), U.S. Department of State The DDTC is charged with controlling the defense articles and defense services covered by the United States Munitions List (USML), which is contained in the ITAR.
- A Short History of Export Control Policy This article prepared by Ryan Zelnio for The Space Review gives a concise view of ITAR history.
- The Effects of Export Control on the Space Industry This article prepared by Ryan Zelnio for The Space Review gives an industry view of the effects of ITAR on the U.S.de:International Traffic in Arms Regulations